The dangers that sleep apnea pose do not discriminate according to age or any other factor. Unfortunately, a lot of people have no idea how to handle this condition, so they just suffer. Read on to learn how to get your sleep apnea under control and get the rest you need.
Overweight people are prone to suffering from sleep apnea. If someone with sleep apnea is overweight, they would benefit from losing it. Exercising and following a regular weight loss plan is the best strategy. Reducing carbs in the diet may also help.
Avoid alcohol if you have sleep apnea. Your muscles will over-relax when you use alcohol, especially before bed. This might be something you want to do but it can also exacerbate your sleep apnea. Your throat muscles become relaxed, making it harder for your airway to stay open. If you feel like you have to drink, try to not do it prior to going to bed.
Sleep Apnea
Even kids can suffer from sleep apnea. You can usually notice a child with sleep apnea when they are hyperactive, inattentive, hostile, irritable and see them continuously breathing through their mouth. Sometimes, sleep apnea is confused with ADHD, and you should consult your doctor for the proper diagnosis.
Look for alternatives to sleeping pills. In the same way that alcohol does, sleeping pills over-relax throat muscles. They may also cause complications for sleep apnea patients. Consult with your practitioner to see what you can do to get to sleep without putting your breathing patterns at risk.
Give sleeping on your sides a try. A lot of people who have sleep apnea are back sleepers. Sleeping one one’s back can cause constriction of the throat muscles. However, breathing is much easier if you sleep on your side instead. A large body pillow can help keep you from rolling to your back in the middle of the night.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and must go to the hospital, make sure your CPAP is with you. Whether the stay is for a planned surgery or sudden emergency, make sure you have access to your CPAP for the duration of your stay. It will already be at your personal settings and pressure, and be the mask you know you can sleep in. It will be much simpler to continue using a CPAP machine in the hospital if you don’t have to deal with unfamiliar equipment.
Be sure to treat allergies and sinus issues right away if you suffer from sleep apnea. Your condition already causes you to have trouble breathing while you sleep. You don’t want to have anything else that hinders your breathing while you sleep. Eliminating your nasal problems maintains a clear airway, which will increase the chances that you will sleep better.
Sleep Apnea
As previously noted, sleep apnea can be a common problem. Without properly educating yourself about sleep apnea, you won’t know how to fix this condition. However, with proper tips, like what you have read in this article, you will find the condition to be controllable.